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POSTED:July 6, 2008 5:00 a.m.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Michael L. Hamilton has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, Hamilton studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Sandra Hamilton, Richmond Hill.

Hamilton is a 2002 graduate of the McIntosh County Academy in Darien.

Army Sgt. Maria C. Canlas has returned to the U.S. after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military, multinational forces, and civilian federal employees are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Canlas, a practical nurse, was deployed with the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq and has served in the military for three years.